The Official Ship of the State of Washington and her companion ship will arrive with cannons blazing and tie up at Cap Sante Marina at approximately 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 3.
The ships have just completed appearances at Tall Ships Challenge events in Victoria, B.C., Tacoma, and Port Alberni, B.C. Anacortes will become a temporary base of operations for nearly two weeks as the crew hosts families, young people, and the general public for a variety of hands-on shipboard education opportunities.
While in Anacortes, the ships will run a family expedition sail. Participants will learn to set sail, stand watch, and take the helm of a replica 18th-century tall ship. At each remote stop, they’ll explore the island with trained naturalists. In the evening, participants discuss the expedition's findings and develop a plan for the next day. And there’ll be time for a day hike and a brisk swim.
The ships will be open for public tours on August 9 and 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days, $3 donation appreciated; Then in the afternoon, look for three hours of booming cannons and close-quarters maneuvers, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
Parallel to the ships’ Anacortes/San Juan Islands activities, 27 young people from Grays Harbor County are participating in a Youth Adventure Program sponsored by the American Sail Training Association and Grays Harbor and Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, which owns and operates the ships.
Each participant received a scholarship to join the program. They will work on personal goals, as well as the program goals of improved confidence, attitude, conflict resolution skills, discipline, and leadership ability.